Forward Thinkers: This inaugural year of the Flagler College Presidential Speaker Series brings distinguished thought leaders to campus to share global perspectives, inspirational stories, and career insights. You'll gain unparalleled insight into the minds of forward thinkers.
The speakers are Elaine Chao, 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and Bob Woodward, legendary investigative journalist for the Washington Post.
Here's what you have to look forward to.
R.L. Stine (SOLD OUT)
R.L. Stine
Best-Selling Author R.L. Stine
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at 7 p.m. in Lewis Auditorium
(Photo credit: Dan Nelken)
SOLD OUT
Before there was J. K. Rowling, before there was Stephanie Meyer or Suzanne Collins, there was R.L. Stine. Witty, creepy, and compulsively readable: his books defined horror for a generation of young readers — readers who have now come of age. R.L. Stine is one of the best-selling children's authors in history.
"Goosebumps," which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, has more than 400 million books in print in 32 languages. "The Guinness Book of World Records" cited him as the best-selling series
author in history. The "Goosebumps" series made R.L. Stine a worldwide publishing celebrity (and Jeopardy answer).
His other popular children's book series include "Fear Street" (recently revived as a feature film trilogy), "The Garbage Pail
Kids," "Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room," and "Rotten School." Other titles include "It's The First Day of School Forever," "A Midsummer Night's Scream," "Young Scrooge," "Stinetinglers," and three picture books, with Marc Brown— "The Little Shop of Monsters," "Mary McScary," and "Why Did the Monster Cross the Road." (July 4, 2023)
The "Goosebumps" T.V. series was America's number-one children's show for three years. You can still find the episodes on Netflix. More recently, R.L.'s anthology T.V. series, "R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour," won the Emmy Award three years in a row as Best Children's Show.
His newest Disney+ TV series is "Just Beyond," based on his graphic novels for BOOM! Studios. Two Goosebumps feature films starring Jack Black as R.L. Stine were released in 2015 and 2018. The first film became the #1 film in America. The Fear Street movies all reached #1 on Netflix.
Stine lives in New York City with his wife, Jane, an editor and publisher.
All of the tickets to this event are spoken for, but you can join the wait list by using the button below and logging in.
Previous Speakers
Previous Speakers
SOLD OUT: A Conversation With Bob Woodward
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 7 p.m. in Lewis Auditorium
Bob Woodward gained international attention in 1973 when he and Carl Bernstein uncovered the Watergate scandal. Since then, he's worked to expose the inner workings of the secret government.
Woodward has written about the last ten U.S. presidents and chronicled how the power of the presidency has evolved. He is the author of 21 bestselling books – 15 went to No. 1 – more than any contemporary nonfiction writer.
His 21st book, "Peril" (co-authored with acclaimed Washington Post reporter Robert Costa), examines a perilous time in American history—the transition between the Presidencies of Donald Trump and Joe Biden. In his speeches, Woodward discusses the expanding powers of the presidency and the important lessons that can be learned from the presidents he's covered.
Currently an associate editor for The Washington Post, where he's worked since 1971, Bob Woodward has won nearly every American journalism award, including two Pulitzers.
Former CIA director and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wished he'd recruited Woodward into the CIA, saying, "He has an extraordinary ability to get otherwise responsible adults to spill [their] guts to him ... his ability to get people to talk about stuff they shouldn't be talking about is just extraordinary and may be unique."
Innovation and The Transportation System of the Future
Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at 7 p.m. in Lewis Auditorium
Elaine Chao is an inspiring and consequential leader who was appointed to two presidential cabinet positions: U.S. Secretary of Transportation and U.S. Secretary of Labor.
When she was nominated and then unanimously confirmed, she became the first woman of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage to serve in the President's cabinet in history. She is the 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
She arrived in the United States in third grade, not knowing how to speak English. She received her citizenship at the age of 19. Her experience transitioning to a new country motivated her to ensure that everyone has access to our country's opportunities.
Before becoming U.S. Secretary of Labor, Secretary Chao was President and CEO of United Way of America and Director of the Peace Corps. She earned her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and holds 38 honorary degrees. She is a resident of Kentucky.